Zach Gallagher is no stranger to high-performance sport. During his illustrious high school career, he won medals in New Zealand’s pinnacle Rowing event, the Maadi cup, with Christ’s College, while also captaining the school’s first XV.
Gallagher’s family members also competed at a high level in sport, his mother, Kris, rowed for New Zealand and Zach’s great uncle is former All Black fullback Allan Hewson.
The 23-year-old made 19 appearances for the Crusaders, debuting for the Christchurch-based side in 2022, going on to represent them in the 2023 and 2024 campaigns respectively.
Gallagher has decided to move north to Wellington, with the Hurricanes needing a boost at the lock position.
A move to Wellington to join the Hurricanes is a perfect new challenge, says Gallagher.
“I loved my time at the Crusaders and learnt so much from some of the best, but it felt like the right time for a challenge and to throw myself into a new environment and a new way of looking at the game,” Gallagher told media this week.
“The vision for the team and the energy within the group are contagious. The pre-season environment has been great and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
It’s an important pickup for Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw, who will acquire a young lock that has Super Rugby experience to add to their locking stocks.
Laidlaw is happy with the way the 23-year-old has started pre-season in Wellington, saying the lock has a spring in his step.
“Zach’s transitioned into the team well. It’s obvious he’s been putting in the work and coming out on top as the fittest forward in our pre-Christmas fitness testing.
“More importantly, he’s come in and been himself, settled into the group, and is starting to contribute to the environment.”
Although it’s a new environment for Gallagher, the coaching staff will need his experience in a relatively young and inexperienced locking department of Tom Allen, Will Tucker, Caleb Delany, Josh Taula and Isaia Walker-Leawere.
“We feel excited to have him in the group, and he seems to enjoy it. You see it often with players when they come into a different environment under a different coaching group; it can be refreshing, and he’s got a spring in his step,” said Laidlaw.
“We’re looking forward to getting him out there in a few weeks.”
